Town Column

Oak Bluffs

Now the blossoms are quickly vanishing from the window boxes and in their place remains dead or dying foliage. This depressing sight motivates me to bring down the fall decorations from the attic and to clean up the boxes and the porch where dried blossoms have laid their carpet over the floorboards. The clues that fall is here are apparent as I see more sky than leaves on tops of the trees in the forest park and the colors are gradually changing from bright green to dull shades of russet with an occasional sprinkling of gold here and there. I think this color change is nature's way of preparing us to slow down, rest and prepare for the cooler, shorter days that are coming.

Belated happy anniversary wishes to Kenny and Erica Ponte who celebrated year eight on Oct. 9. Also Erica would like to thank Jocelyn Broadley and Sam Cleland for all of their help with her family at the Pumpkin Festival at Morning Glory Farm on Saturday last, when a medical emergency was going on with Kenny. Erica said it is so nice to live in a community where there is always someone willing to help in an emergency. Hunter and Shelby had a great time at the festival thanks to Jocelyn and Sam.

On Saturday, Nov. 3, at 6:30 pm at the Hebrew Center in Vineyard Haven, the African Artists' Community Project is premiering their documentary film "Waging Peace in Zambia." The event will take place from 6 to 8 pm. There will be a silent auction of antique African ceremonial folk art and wall hangings. Zambian crafts will also be on sale and hors d'oeuvres will be served. All are welcome. A $10 donation is suggested. If you have any questions, contact Marsha Winsryg at marshawinsry@gmail.com or 508-693-4059.

The "Miles of Memories" walk for Alzheimer's was a great success and Team Bink raised approximately $1,200. The deBettencourt family wants to thank all of the generous contributors.

The Oak Bluffs School Health Club will be participating in the annual CROP Walk to fight hunger by walking from Vineyard Haven to Oak Bluffs. The money raised goes to the Island Food Pantry and to 80 countries. Everyone will meet at 2 pm on Sunday, Oct. 21, at St. Augustine's Church in Vineyard Haven, rain or shine.

Learn how the Responsive Classroom and Responsive Designs affect your child's Oak Bluffs school experience at the PTO meeting on Oct. 24 at 7 pm in the school library. Presenters will be Jeannie Holenko and Ellen Berube and babysitters will be provided.

Very soon MCAS booklets will be sent home with students in fourth through eighth grade. The booklets explain MCAS tests and scores. The school will be glad to assist you in deciphering your child's data. As always, students, staff, parents and citizens remain "Proud to be from OB."

Congratulations to Karl Buder who was installed as a Deacon for the Island's Good Shepherd Parish last Sunday. Many parishioners from Oak Bluffs and other towns on the Island attended the ceremony.

Enjoy your week, and send your news to me. Please remember that the deadline is the Monday before the Thursday publication, so if you have an event falling between those dates, you need to send it in a week earlier.